--- title: "Two-step word problems" description: "Solve one- and two-step word problems within 100 using addition and subtraction, with unknowns in all positions" canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/two-step-word-problems-mt_yTWxkzzoOZ source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/two-step-word-problems-mt_yTWxkzzoOZ.md retrieved: 2026-11-12 --- > **Agent view.** This is the Markdown twin of the page, for tools and assistants. > When to use this site, and the call that answers each job: https://lightmysky.com/agent-instructions.md > API description (OpenAPI 3.1): https://lightmysky.com/openapi.json · Authentication: https://lightmysky.com/auth.md > Pricing: https://lightmysky.com/pricing.md · Catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms.txt · Full catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms-full.txt > Every machine-readable file on this domain: https://lightmysky.com/.well-known/ai-catalog.json > Ask for Markdown with `Accept: text/markdown`, a `.md` address, or `?mode=agent`. # Two-step word problems Solve one- and two-step word problems within 100 using addition and subtraction, with unknowns in all positions Subject: Mathematics · Area: Addition & Subtraction · Ages 7 to 8 Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/two-step-word-problems-mt_yTWxkzzoOZ ## Ready when they can - Solve two-step problems within 100 by tracking changes, finding totals or finding what is still needed - Represent a word problem with an equation using a symbol for the unknown - Solve more/fewer comparisons within 100, including a missing group size or the amount needed to match another group ## Lesson: Two-step word problems You have used drawings and equations for one-step stories. A two-step problem needs two calculations. Find what the question asks, then put the events in order. If you know the start, work forward. Getting more adds to the group; giving some away subtracts from it. Use the first result for the next calculation. Check each action against your equation. **Example.** Mia had 26 crayons. She got 13 more, then gave 7 away. First add: 26 + 13 = 39. This is the middle number, before she gave any away. Then subtract: 39 - 7 = 32. Mia has 32 crayons now. If the question asked how many she had before giving 7 away, you would answer 39. A question mark stands for the number you need. Some blocks get 14 more and become 43: ? + 14 = 43. Find the start with 43 - 14 = 29. If 43 blocks lose some and 29 remain, write 43 - ? = 29. Find the amount lost with 43 - 29 = 14. In 29 + ? = 43, the question mark is the amount added. Find it with 43 - 29 = 14. In ? - 9 = 24, the question mark is the start. Put the 9 back: 24 + 9 = 33. Put each answer into its equation to check that both sides match. **Example.** To find how many more or fewer, subtract the smaller count from the larger count. Eli has 48 shells; Noor has 31. The difference is 48 - 31 = 17. Noor needs 17 to match Eli. If you know only Noor's 31 and Eli has 17 more, add: 31 + 17 = 48. If you know only Eli's 48, subtract 17 to find Noor's 31. **Example.** For a missing start in a two-step story, undo the last change first. A box gets 8 blocks, then loses 5, and ends with 23. Put back the 5 lost blocks: 23 + 5 = 28. Then remove the 8 added blocks: 28 - 8 = 20. Check forward: 20 + 8 = 28, then 28 - 5 = 23. **Example.** To reach a target, first add what you have. Then subtract that total from the target. You collect 18 tokens and 26 tokens toward a target of 60: 18 + 26 = 44. You still need 60 - 44 = 16 tokens. Check: 44 + 16 = 60. **Example.** To find empty seats, add the people and subtract that total from all the seats. A room has 42 seats, 17 children and 8 adults. Each person uses one seat, with nobody else there. There are 17 + 8 = 25 people. The number of empty seats is 42 - 25 = 17. **Example.** Two steps can use the same operation. For three groups of 21, 16 and 9, add twice: 21 + 16 = 37, then 37 + 9 = 46. If a shop starts with 55 rolls and sells 13, then 11 more, subtract twice: 55 - 13 = 42, then 42 - 11 = 31. **Recap.** Find what the story asks. Use two calculations when needed, match each change to its sign, and check your answer in the story. *This lesson, practice bank and flashcards were written for the LightMySky dataset.* ## Practice 17 questions on this page, each with its working shown. ## Needs first - [Fluent adding and subtracting within 100](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/fluent-adding-and-subtracting-within-100-mt_cChv2j_-Da) - [Early word problems](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/early-word-problems-mt_VAWV_l7J0D) ## Opens up - [Two-Step Equations](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/two-step-equations-mt_anAe11HAEH) - [Missing number problems (age 7+)](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/missing-number-problems-age-7-mt_XuHmIn2xje)